A racing legacy and a rising star of the new generation of Italian motorsport, 18-year-old Nicola Lacorte has already made his mark in Formula 4, Formula 3, and endurance racing. Exclusively for GPKingdom, he shares his career, his life, and his ambitions.
At just 18, Nicola Lacorte is one of the most promising names in Italian motorsport. If you haven’t heard of him yet, you will soon. In the meantime, we’ve got you covered. Born in Pisa in 2007, Nicola grew up in a motorsport environment: his father Roberto is an endurance racing driver.
After early successes in karting, he won the ACI Sport Federal Supercourse in 2022 and moved to single-seaters, claiming victories in Italian Formula 4 and also competing in Formula Regional with Trident. In 2025,
How did your passion for racing start, and when did you realize you wanted to become a racing driver?
“My passion has naturally always been within me. The fact that my father is a driver helped me get to know this world, but it never forced my passion.”
What has your father taught you?
“When I was little, we always watched Formula 1 together. When he started racing in endurance, I discovered a whole new world that I immediately fell in love with.”
Have you ever considered pursuing a path outside of racing?
“No, never. I’m continuing my studies with the goal of graduating one day, but that will never come into conflict with my racing career.”
In 2022, you took part in a scouting camp with the Ferrari Driver Academy: were you disappointed not to join in the end?
“It was an amazing experience, especially so early in my career, but I regret nothing: the opportunity I have with Alpine is more than satisfying for now.”
What was it like for you to transition from karting to single-seaters?
“The jump from karting to single-seaters is quite significant; it’s no coincidence that there are often surprises when a driver moves from karting to Formula 4. I think I managed to surprise people in a positive way.”
What memories do you have of your first podium and your first victory in the 2023 Italian Formula 4 season?
“I remember that during the weekend of my first Formula 4 victory, everything went well: the team’s expectations were high, but I never expected to win in my first weekend. I hope to repeat it more often next season.”
Earlier this June, in just one week, you were suspended for a race and received 18 penalty points: how did you manage to overcome that moment psychologically?
“It was clear that I needed a few races to adapt to a championship like Formula 3, and the triple-header period helped me grow a lot. Psychologically, it couldn’t have gone better: I took a break, trained hard, and came back stronger.”
You recently made your debut in IMSA: what are the main similarities and differences compared to the junior single-seater series in Europe? And which of the two paths do you see yourself pursuing more in the future?
“I’m not sure, but I know it has been the best experience I’ve had so far in my career, and I can’t wait to go back.”
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Who has been the toughest driver you’ve raced against so far?
“I only raced against Kimi for three races in Formula 4, and I think that, in terms of pure talent, he’s the strongest driver I’ve competed against. I’ve also been teammates with Antonio Fuoco in IMSA, and I believe he’s the most complete driver in endurance racing at the moment.”
Do you have—or have you ever had—a favorite driver or team in Formula 1?
“As a child, I grew up watching Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, so that’s the combination I’ve always cherished. Naturally, in recent years I’ve also started supporting Alpine, but Alonso will always be my idol.”
“As a child, I grew up watching Alonso at Ferrari: he will always be my idol. Kimi Antonelli and Antonio Fuoco are the strongest drivers I’ve raced against.” – Nicola Lacorte
How do you manage to balance studying, your personal life, and being a professional racing driver at just 18 years old? What are your hobbies or passions outside the track?
“I’m very satisfied with how I manage my private life alongside sports and school. When I’m at home, I try to spend as much time as possible with my girlfriend, friends, and family, and disconnect from racing as much as I can. As for school, my mother has always given me indispensable support, and I’ll always be grateful for that. I really enjoy music, running, and traveling. When I’m at home, I’m just the most normal guy on earth.”
Photos: Formula 3
